Friday, December 22, 2006

I'm hoping that all you are well and that the day ahead is calm and perfect for you all. I know that everyone is crazy busy and that life can get away from us pretty fast these days. But remember that there out here in the universe someone less lucky then us is struggling, someone is hurting and that this week is not for all the delightful season it should be. I pray that you are all well. That no harm nor sorrow will find it's way to your door.

My Christmas wish of the day:

For Ang and her family: That the days and years ahead will be a soft place to fall each and everyday. That while the kids grow and learn to be, your heart will know that the world will be kind to them all. That you will not have to search for peace but that it lives within you always. That time will stop long enough every now and again at just the right moment for you to enjoy it just a little longer then enough. I too wish that there is rest for you at the end of the day. I am grateful for your sisterhood and the balance and joy you have shared....That the years will bring what money can not...Your life is always treasured by those you touch...

That Bondo and his family are having a joyous time together....That the world is always right with you. That your artistic hands dance with joy and whimsy as you spread your true gifts as wide as the world. That your kids are safe and fearless always. That their being will as it has bring you more than one man could ever hope for. You are treasured and missed here and loved more than you know. That you continue to have a big life...You deserve it...That the blessings will linger forever if only in your heart.

Inkling and her beloved are having a wonderful time creating a lifelong traditions together on this very special first Christmas as newlyweds. That Inkling never ever losses her joys and excitement about the small but priceless treasures she finds in her sweetheart. That they are forever thrilled that just being is enough. That our Inkling will be blessed with good health. That H.D. stays warm if from no place but his heart. What a treasure to have each other and those that surround them. But most of all I wish them that they always stay as one with the world even when family and friends seem to be too far away.

To Grace: That you are forever easier on yourself. That you find silence even when it seems impossible. That you as a mom and wife find joy each and every day in your family and friends. That you know that a prayer each night far to the west is said for you and yours. That you find time heals as well as returns all things. That no matter the hour or the day that you are right there to know the love that is bestowed on you. That the blessings you have will always be just right. That when you are old and a grandma that the delight of youth makes you forever young at heart. But most of all my wish for you this Christmas is that you be as you are....Loved, treasured, kind, funny and that your heart bursts with joy by being Graced...

Lauren: That your faith and strength in family and friends as are forever yours. That being a mommy, a wife, a daughter and a friend leaves you filled with more than you could even know. That the blessings in your life continue and are passed to the those you love. That the smallest moments in life tend to be the ones you treasure most. That the Lord watches over you as He has for so long. That you will find time to be surrounded by those friends that you never get to see enough of...Most of all I wish for you that joyful days out number the sorrowful ones.

Farmwife: That the boots multiply on your porch as you and yours welcome yet another baby. That the spirit of love lives forever within your world. That time slows long enough for you to be in awe of so many blessings. That being a mommy gives you all the joy that there is...That being a wife fills you with strength and courage that only you can know. That love always over flows in your home with the daily things of life. That each and every night you fall peacefully asleep in all the blessings that the good Lord has given to you.

Thursday, December 21, 2006

I hope you have had a good year writing in regards to the list... Yes the naughty or nice list you have been keeping. I know it is just a few days before the big day, but I think you might need some help at this time. And I'm here to give you a hand and yes ask for a few things too.

First there are several people that you should flag on your list. These folks should be put on the naughty list forever. The bone head who stole Don Ely's flag. The guy up north in Victoria for his less then stellar Santa display of poor Saint Nick on a cross was just wrong, very wrong. The next person is the creeps who stole the Salvation Army bucket in Everett full of money for the needy. You know who they are. I will have my friends help you with this list too okay?

Now for the good list....The lady I saw today slip two one hundred dollar bills into another Salvation army bucket. All the men who married my friends like Ang, Inkling ,Grace and our sweet lovely preggers farm girl. Believe me if those men are like my hubby they deserve far more than we can hope to give them. We are a challenged lot. We would like to add Ang's friend up north, and her son Mighty Max.

Now if I may my personal list:

I would like more folks to have grace and kindness, less hate, less anger and less revenge. I too would like to see more kind smiles. A twinkle in the eye is as kind as a card you know. I'd like to be able to see good win over evil. I'd like you to mend the hearts that are heavy because they have lost a loved one. For those who do not trust to find trust and faith. To give light to those who find only darkness. Forgive those who have not found the true spirit of this holiday. And most of all I'd like to give the world a hug...And a kind and gentle word...May peace find you everyday......

VideoBy John Sharify Watch the video PORT TOWNSEND - Don Ely is a man of few words.

"He's a quiet man," says Ely who just turned 69.

Ely is talking about his best friend who gave him a flag he's treasured for nearly 40 years.

But it's not the flag he's currently flying on his porch. That one he picked up at the hardware store for $35. It's a flag to replace the stolen flag.

Don was still in his late 20s when his captain, his best buddy, died in Vietnam during the Tet Offensive on January 31st, 1968. It's among the saddest days in Don's long life.

Three months ago, we shared with you Don's loss of the flag. Lori Morisette watched from her home and cried.

"I cried when I saw your story (that night) regarding the special flag that was stolen from Don Ely of Port Townsend," Morisette wrote me in her e-mail.

She cried for a man she didn't know; a man whose faith in others was beginning to waver.

"It's just pure meanness," says Ely.

More than anything, Don and his wife Jeannie want that flag back. Lori Morisette wishes she had a magic wand to make that happen, to ease Don's pain.

"He was an extraordinary man," says Ely.

You might say that about Lori and her friends. Extraordinary. When a local soldier is killed, the group Lori is with called Patriot Guard Riders get on their motorcycles and go to the memorial service.

Today, they're on their way to Don's house in Port Townsend. It's a surprise.

Well what do you know? Prime rib on sale for under $5.00 per pound? And I am known to make the best Prime rib hubby has ever had. So I had told hubby about this and we (I) decided that we should just fill up the freezer downstairs with as much as I could put in there. Why? Well because watching my hubby work so hard and only getting a hot hand made fresh meal by me happens only when he comes home for a visit...Our priceless 15 hours...So I offered that everytime he comes home until it runs out I would feed him one of his favorite foods. I'll fix the other stuff and freeze it up and send it off with him but when he is home we will have a prime rib date. I am so happy that I am bursting at the seems about this. I know I am just a little off.

And I did get all the floors scrubbed and a nice finish put on it. I started early yesterday and informed my mum surgeons could do surgery on our floor. She asked me some questions and I finally figured out she was trying to figure out "who are you and what have you done with my daughter?" I had explained it ( the clean thing) had started right after Buluga died. Poor mum had no clue what to say and I felt bad as she knew that there was nothing to fix tht hurt. Poor mum...All mummies want to take that away and they can't. It is much torture I am sure. Anyway it is very clean and things are being addressed each day...

It is wet and was to have rained some 2 1/2 inches in one hour on the coast!! And to see Denver and the Western Plains on the news was just crazy...The call off of the search on Mt. Hood and more wind storms ... It is almost more then one can wrap their head around.

I have to do so much today..It took far longer to do the floors then I figured which made all the rest of the chores roll over to today. I was on my knees with a small scrubbies 3M eraser which brought the long black scuff marks of the floor in a flash (relatively) but in order to keep the floor uniform in color you have to do each 2inch board... Which is why this task alone took all day.

By the way I was watching the news ( rare for me) and cried as I watched as an old man was interviewed about his very special flag being stolen from his house... First who in the world would do such a thing...That is like stealing an urn full of ashes. Second, Does this rotten thief have any idea THIS FLAG was a gift from his best friend who died in Vietnam? Third does this snot have any idea what so ever what THIS MAN did? What he has suffered? A note to this crap head. ( yes, I am mad!) You are not worthy to touch that flag! It was a gift, an honor bestowed to one man from another...You have not earned even the remotest repect or honor ... How dare you take what was and is the sole right of one man and one man only. The value of this flag is priceless to him ( as well as all others who ache over this) You obviously have absolutely no respect for others things making you even less then a small coward. How dare you even touch it! If you have ever thought for a minute that someone you care for would loss something so special maybe you would not have taken it! You are bad, hateful and cruel. My heart does feel sorry for you...You have no idea how incredibly lucky you are to live in this country. How can you spit on the freedom bestowed on you in such a manner? Has it not occurred to you that you alone are the smallest form of the ugly American? Do you not see the message you have told the world about yourself as well? I pity you for not respecting your family enough ( they gave you a special gift of being an American ) or yourself. Were is your pride? If you want a flag of such magnitude you should be the one in uniform, holding a gun in a third world counrty watching your pals being killed while trying yourself to stay alive. Do you not know the flag you stole watched as Americans fell to their death? It is sad that you have such little value in yourself that you have to steal what you will never earn. Your actions are proof of this alone. You should return this flag, hang your head in shame and beg forgiveness. I regard your petty act as cowardness and cruel. Did this man do something to you? I doubt it... But you have done such a grievous crime against not just him but this country. A counrty this man proudly served. You on the other hand should be serving time. Good luck with that flag. It will not watch over you as it did this old man, it will not shine with pride ( considering you have no idea how to care for such a thing) nor will it say who you are. You alone could redeem yourself with one action alone. Have you considered that? I pray for you for your family, the shame they would feel if they knew it was you who stole this flag. You have broken sacred laws. Do, if for no other reason, muster up some pride and courage and return this flag. Bestow honor back to this flag, return it to the rightful care taker...

Wednesday, December 20, 2006

Inkling nor I had the very stingy Mr. Sandman visit last night. I was up past 2am. I had tea and was heading to bed just before 10 last night...tossed turned retreated back to the living room. Wanting, hoping and needing sleep. I beginning to think it, sleep is well not coming. I forced myself back to bed and flung the window wide open and refused to open my eyes. At last it came jarring me up at 5:10am. So now I have to get ready and plan for hubby coming home.

Liz came by and we hauled the huge ladder to the shelter and had it repaired in less than two hours. We came into the house and Liz looked around at the very clean house...Her notice was to the fact that there is no tree nor a Christmas present to be found ...Frankly you would think it was no place close to December let alone Christmas. She did not ask and I was surprised that she said nothing. I had thought of saying we had decided that there would be no exchange of gifts nor a tree, turkey with all the fixings yes... but nothing more.

And if anyone thinks it sad, well I'm sorry. But really I have thought it out and yes I would make the effort if asked by hubby but we are apart for so long and it would make me sadder to see a tree without my friend (hubby) to enjoy it with. And really our gifts to each other is time...something we do not get enough of together...You can not buy it and it is pretty priceless to us.

Don't get me wrong, I love the idea of Christmas...I love all your photos you have posted....And the excitement of the gifts you are all about to share with those you love. I suppose it too has to do with us needing nothing...We have more then we need or should even have, but time and hours of scrabble, dinners and daily breakfasts...Those are what we have little of at all.

So I am told that hubby will drive home right after work on Friday night...I am happy that we will have more then the normal 12-18 hours we have come to regard as "a visit" !!! I am looking forward to cooking and putting all his favorite foods in front of him, fresh and hot and him saying "you should not cook this well"...

I read all the post this morning and cried...Thanks guys..I had managed to make it all the way to the end using only one Kleenex..

Be well and take care of all the little things, the important things....The fleeting things that you can not capture with a gift or a camera....Remember what we are able to give in time will never have value to anyone other than a few...Shared moments with friends who have shoulders as wide as the earth when our worlds fall apart...A blessing from a tragedy or the divine love that we share for each others. Try wrapping that up!

Tuesday, December 19, 2006

Would you believe I JUST WOKE UP!!! Yes boys and girls I finally got to sleep past 4:30am!!!I feel very bad I was not able to speak with hubby. And I am sure he will be thrilled that I slept longer then 5 hours. Yahoo!!!

Well the coffee is good the news is on and the sad fact is that a family of 4 died in their home and people seem to be dying at a terrible rate from trying to keep warm. The news also has said that it might be past New Years before the power is on again in some places despite power companies sending help from all over the U.s. Crews from California, Idaho, Montana and Canada are all working like mad men. Still the power will not be on anytime soon.

The climber they found in Oregon is Kelly James and his partners are still missing. It is all sad and the Folks there continue to search as if it is still a rescue. Pray that they find those two men.

Anyway I have a busy day ahead and will try to get something done on top of smelling a strange smell in the house...I suspect it is related to the cats who will be outdoor cats again. If it is what I think it is. So now I have more work and more trouble ahead. But at least I feel rested and not like a walking zombie!

Monday, December 18, 2006

Oh that Rockey has a huge voice. And if I had not known better I would have said the beast was on my chest screaming his lungs out. I wonder if that is like Bee and her out burst noise at the hospital. He was loud and I finally figured out the colder the morning the earlier, longer and louder the rooster goes. I am grateful for him and I do love the wake up call unlike my reaction to a plug in alarm. (not something one wants to witness)

Anyway the poor people of Seattle are still without power and it makes the news none stop. Folks did not heed warnings prior to the wind storm, not bothering to fill gas tanks or have food and what not on hand. Do city folks not knew the basic rules like fill the tank PRIOR to these types of things..Plenty of warning was given. Do not burn the bbq inside, take your food out of the fridge and outside ( as it is colder out there you know) and do not eat any food that has been in a warm fridge. UGH!!GRR!The state has had over a 100 people treated for carbon monoxide poisoning. I feel bad for the guy that died with the generator going in his house total over a million people were out of power at the height of the wind storm damage. And these folks are just not farm fairy tough. Maybe I should give classes on common sense during a power outages and how to survive in relative comfort. Okay my soap box is free for others.

They too found one of the three hikers on Mt. Hood Oregon...He died and the searchers are still calling the search for the other two a rescue the searchers and they families in your thoughts and prayers while you finish your shopping today.

On other news Hubby is cold the high being 26 today. The winds died down after freezing all the guys on the dam. Work is returning to normal for a bit anyway. He still does not know if they will get off work on Friday or Saturday. He did say he they are returning to overtime the day after Christmas, which means that hubby would have to leave at 2pm on Christmas day. I thought I heard him tell me he was taking the day after off and would not leave until Tuesday. We had talked about a whole week off...Wishful thinking maybe?

We did speak of finally taking a honeymoon...I said I would like to go to Yellowstone Park...Yes in the dead of winter...I will be looking into that today. Iam not sure if rates go up out there. Anyway hubby has never been there and I have been 4 times, never in the winter though. Wish me luck.

Alright now I have loads to do fix hotwire fencing, fix shelters get grain and a few other things in Mt. Vernon. Have a really good day, stay safe and warm out there. Hope Inkling did not get slammed with the rain storm that looked as if it was heading her way. Grace, sorry you are sick, feel better soon. Farmwife, I am so sorry about baby girl... I have had ear troubles all my life e en now I had ear infection. No fun and the pain is like no other. Poor thing!

I too heard that there is a very smelly dog out there in the Delta area...I am just glad hubby does not have smellaphone!